Philadelphia Cricket Club hosts 111th Open ChampionshipThe well-regarded Wissahickon Course of Philadelphia Cricket Club, a bit more than a year removed from a high-profile renovation (featured in 2014 Spring Issue), hosts the 111th Open Championship on Wednesday, July 22. The 78-player roster is a mix of Golf Association of Philadelphia top amateurs and Philadelphia Section of the PGA professionals.
The Wissahickon Course recently hosted the PGA Professional National Championship June 28-July 1. Upcoming, it is slated to host the 2016 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship and 2020 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. This is Cricket’s eighth time as an Open site, the first since 1962. The first ever Open was staged in 1903 on Cricket’s St. Martins Course. “We're really excited to host the Open,” said Jim Smith, Jr., 47, of Jenkintown, Pa., Cricket’s Director of Golf. “It's one of the premier events on the GAP calendar and the club is flattered the Association thinks enough of the Wissahickon Course to allow us to host. “This year will be really special given the fact we have 10 participants out of the field of 78, and just three of the 10 are pro, Hugo Mazzalupi, Mark Miller and myself. It speaks to the depth and quality of our membership's playing ability.” Nine former Open Champions are slated to compete in the Association’s third oldest event. Professionals Stu Ingraham (1994) of MGolf Driving Range & Learning Facility; Brian Kelly of Bucknell Golf Club (2000, 2003); John Appleget (2002) of Wildwood Golf & Country Club; Dave Quinn (2006) of Links Golf Club; Miller (2007), an assistant pro at Cricket who won the Open as an amateur; and Rick Steinmetz (2009) of Spring Ford Country Club. Recent amateurs who have won in the field are Michael R. Brown (2010) of Links Golf Club; Brandon Matthews (2013) of Blue Bell Country Club and defending champion Matthew Teesdale (2014) of Commonwealth National Golf Club. Other top contenders in the field are reigning BMW Philadelphia Amateur Champion Cole Berman of Philadelphia Cricket Club; reigning Middle-Amateur Champion Scott McNeil of Bala Golf Club; Michael McDermott, a five-time GAP Player of the Year, and runner-up in last year’s Open; and Josh Rackley, an assistant pro at Gulph Mills Golf Club who, earlier this year, took the Haverford Philadelphia PGA Classic and the $100,000 top prize. “It’s going to be fun. There is a lot of good competition and it will be a great gauge to see where you stack up with the best in area,” said Teesdale, 24, of Maple Glen, Pa., the defending champion. “It’s going to be a true test of golf. “I’m in a little bit if slump but I’ve started to hit the ball better and score better. On any given day, you can go out and fire a number.” The field of 78 breaks down into 40 Association amateurs and 38 Philadelphia PGA Section professionals. Total purse for the professionals is $35,000. The low pro will win $7,000. Amateurs have won the last five editions, 17 overall. Jay Sigel holds the most Open titles at six. He won all those as an amateur. The Golf Association of Philadelphia serves as the sole administrator of the Open Championship. It increased the field size from 72 to 78 players in 2013. Forty-nine players secured a spot in the field by qualifying at either Bellewood Country Club or Running Deer Golf Club. The remaining 29 earned exemptions based on previous results. Participants include professionals who are members in good standing of the Philadelphia Section PGA, head professionals of GAP Member Clubs and amateurs who are members of member clubs and carry a handicap index of 7.0 or less. As always, the public and media are welcome to attend.
Golf Association of Philadelphia |
A Walk Through Time
GAP is the oldest state or regional golf association in the country. It started courtesy of a friendly competition – the Team Matches – and has grown into the preeminent golf association in the country. Along the way, golf history has been made.
